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Jane Elliott Speech Transcript on Race, Being Black in America

Jane Elliott Speech Transcript Race
Rev › Blog › Transcripts › Classic Speech Transcripts › Jane Elliott Speech Transcript on Race, Being Black in America

Jane Elliott gave a speech to a group of mostly white audience members in which she asked a simple but important question about race.

 

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Jane Elliott: (00:01)
I want every white person in this room who would be happy to be treated as this society in general treats our citizens, our black citizens, if you, as a white person, would be happy to receive the same treatment that our black citizens do in this society, please stand.

Audience: (00:17)
(silence)

Jane Elliott: (00:18)
You didn’t understand the directions. If you white folks want to be treated the way blacks are in this society, stand.

Audience: (00:29)
(silence)

Jane Elliott: (00:29)
Nobody’s standing here. That says very plainly that you know what’s happening, you know you don’t want it for you. I want to know why you’re so willing to accept it or to allow it to happen for others.